Driver Education Instructors

Home / About Us / Departments / Student Health and Safety / Driver Education / Driver Education Instructors

Public Driver Education Programs are valuable resources for Idaho communities and provide students with the tools and skills necessary to become safe, responsible drivers.

The following information and resources are available whether you are an existing program coordinator or instructor or are just interested in learning more about the driver education program in Idaho.

Have a question? Contact Tabitha Smith, Driver Education Program Coordinator.

2025 Driver Education Conference

The 2025 Driver Education Conference provides the 8 hour professional development that is required by IDAPA 08.02.02.004 Section 3.6.1. Join us at The Riverside Hotel to explore new curriculum standards in vehicle technology, share insights on best practices, and collaboration to elevate young driver safety in the Gem State.

Driver Education Instructor Application

Driver Education Instructor Certification

To access information, click the appropriate + sign below.

New Instructor Certification

To become a licensed Public Driver Education Instructor, candidates must:

Complete the New Instructor Training Course – This is offered online three times a year through Northwest Nazarene University (NNU). For more information see the course registration page. The course has a mentorship component for classroom and in-car instruction to ensure the new instructors are ready to teach.
Pass a behind-the-wheel skills test. Skills test must be submitted to the Idaho Department of Education sealed in an envelope. These are conducted by Idaho Transportation Department’s Skills Test Examiners. For more information on skills tests, visit the Idaho Transportation’s DMV webpage.
Pass and submit a physical using the Medical Examination Form.
Instructors must have a satisfactory driving record.
A background check is on file with the district/charter. For more information on background checks, check out the Background Investigation Check webpage.

Driver Education Certifications are renewed annually and valid from July 1 – June 30.

Lapsed Driver Education Certification

To recertify as an Idaho Driver Education Instructor:

Complete either a) the Idaho New Instructor Training Course Final Exam (receive 80% or higher) or b) 15 hours of driver education professional development.
Submit an updated physical using the Medical Examination Form.
Background check is on file for the district/charter.
Instructors must have a satisfactory driving record.
District of employment must add the instructor by completing the Request to Add Instructor Form.

Requirements for Certified Instructors

Medical Examination Form must be renewed upon expiration.
Complete eight hours of professional development training each year. The Idaho Department of Education hosts annual Professional Development conferences to help instructors meet this requirement.
Instructors must have a satisfactory driving record.
Background check is on file with the district/charter.

Submitting an Updated Physical

Submit an updated physical through the Instructor Profile. For guides, check out the step-by-step guide to update an Instructor Profile or how to create an Instructor Profile.

Forms and Guidance

To access information, click the appropriate + sign below.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are Annual Program Plans approved for?

Annual Program Plans are valid from July 1-June 30 and they need to be approved annually. Reminders are sent to Driver Education Program Coordinators annually.

How do you calculate the test eligibility dates?

When calculating the test eligibility dates, best practice is to take the month and day the student graduates and add 6 months, keeping the same day. For example, if a student graduates 06/14/2022, their test eligibility date would be 12/14/2022.

Why have I not received my Instructor Authorization Card even though I have done all the requirements?

Annual Program Plans must be approved for driver education instructors to receive their Instructor Authorization Card.

What is required for a Driver Education Program to receive the reimbursement?

Annual Program Plans must be approved before a district/school can receive payment. Annual Program Plans must be submitted 30 days prior to the start of the first course.

Who can participate in public driver education programs?

Students 14 1/2-21 years of age can participate in a public driver education program.

Do students who have a Class D Instruction Permit or a Class D Driver's Licnese surrender their permit/license to participate in the driver education program?

If a 17-21-year-old student has their regular Class D Instruction Permit or Class D Driver’s License, they do not surrender their permit/license to the driver education program. A student is only required to surrender their permit if it is a Driver Training Permit.

If a student wants to complete an IDLA driver education course for their classroom instruction, but is taking in-car instruction in a different district, which district does the student register for their IDLA course?

The student will need to register for the IDLA course in the district that is the local school they attend. That is the school of record for IDLA enrollments. There is an assignment in the first unit of the IDLA class that has them provide the in-car driving information for the IDLA teacher to connect with the driving school and provide them with what they need in terms of grade reports.

Can a student from a different district enroll in our program?

Students enrolled in any Idaho public school district may enroll in driver education training outside their home district with approval from both districts.

General Information

Instructor / Program Forms

Other Resources

Curriculum Resources

Idaho Safety Resources

National Safety Resources

School Districts & Charter Schools

To access information, click the appropriate + sign below.

Advanced Opportunities & Driver Education

Districts can receive up to $375 per student by districts offering a driver education class as an overload course. Students will be able to access their Advanced Opportunities funding ($225 per student). See guidance:

Using Advanced Opportunities Program for Public Driver Education Program.

Stipulations regarding use of Advanced Opportunities funding include: course must be offered by an accredited public school, driver education is an overload course, and taught by a certified driver education instructor through the Idaho Department of Education.

Booklets & Materials

Order Booklets and Materials

Submit Driver Education Forms

Submit district’s/school’s driver education program forms for review and approval. The Idaho Department of Education will approve/disapprove within 10 business days from submission.

Submit Driver Education Forms

Submitting a Driver Education Reimbursement

The Idaho Department of Education has developed a resource guiding districts/charters on this process: